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Neighbors press Collegedale leaders over group home safety and nuisance complaints
Summary
Residents near 5791 Sundown Court urged Collegedale officials to act after reporting repeated police responses, alleged trespassing and drug use tied to a Community Options group home; city staff said state and federal fair-housing law limit local zoning actions but the police chief has scheduled a meeting with the home’s executive director.
Residents from Sundown Court told the Collegedale City Commission on Jan. 5 that a newly active Community Options group home in their cul-de-sac has created safety and quality-of-life problems.
"We are entitled to know how this originated," said Robert Lee, who identified his address as 5786 Sundown Court. Lee told the commission he and neighbors have seen people "prowling the neighborhood," alleged a resident once exposed himself and said police have responded multiple times — he and others variously cited about 22–25 responses since last August. "No one knows what a patient is capable of doing," Lee said.
The commission’s police chief, Chief Sapp, told residents he had scheduled a meeting the next morning with the executive director of the provider (identified in comments only as "Mercedes") and was collecting response data to share with the commission. "We can hopefully have some dialogue and I can ensure . . . that she knows what's occurring," the chief said, adding he will try to clarify who is housed at the residence and how many staff are present at night.
City staff and commissioners repeatedly cautioned neighbors that federal laws limit municipal zoning control over group homes. One staff member explained the interplay of the federal Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, saying the city’s options are limited so long as the residence meets the legal definition of a protected housing placement. The city attorney said state public policy also permits group homes in residential zones and suggested the Tennessee Department of Mental Health or the state adult-services agency would be the proper forum for compliance and supervision issues.
Several residents pushed for additional enforcement options. Thomas Matusiak, who said he lives at 5751 Sundown Court, said he would report suspected marijuana use and other incidents so police will have documented records. "Every time I smell it, I'm going to report it," Matusiak said.
Chief Sapp and other staff urged neighbors to call dispatch when incidents occur so responses are logged; the chief said he would provide the commission with formal response counts at a follow-up meeting. Staff also said if the house becomes dilapidated or fails property standards the city could intervene under its codes.
The commission did not take formal action on the complaints during the meeting; staff and the chief committed to pursuing dialogue with the provider and to compiling incident and response records for future discussion. The chief and staff recommended that residents also pursue state-level complaints and adult-services oversight if they believe supervision or care standards are not being met.
